The Homelessness Project

Jared Thomson partnered up with Amber Laughton; a fellow empathic design student to research a social issue and present an appropriately designed reverse brief. As they are both passionate about the issue of homelessness, they chose to explore this through interviews and discussions with Mike Leon, the Manager of the Wellington Night Shelter, as well as those suffering from homelessness.

The Wellington Night Shelter proved to be a massive help with this project, through visiting them countless times, Jared and Amber learned that they value the dignity of each person that becomes homeless - they look at the strengths and resources of each person who approaches them for help, rather than focusing on deficits, with the goal of the person becoming sustainability housed as quickly as possible.